A 27-year-old Tamaqua man is in custody facing multiple drug-related charges after an incident involving a suspected mobile meth lab, causing tense moments Tuesday night in Hometown.

Sgt. Duane Frederick, Rush Township police, said Justin D. Pakosky was taken into custody after admitting he was responsible for parking a car in a private lot along Route 309, Claremont Avenue, which was observed filling with smoke.The vehicle, police believe, was a mobile methamphetamine lab parked just three or four feet from busy Route 309 in the heart of the Hometown shopping district.Corporal Adam Sinton and Officer Lucas Fox noticed what appeared to be an abandoned 1997 Honda CRV hatchback parked near Maple Street and Claremont Avenue on the northbound side of the highway.The lot formerly housed HCS&K Tire and has not been used in years.Thinking at first it was a car fire, the officers summoned Hometown Fire Company about 7 p.m.However, further investigation revealed that the car, filled with smoke and fumes, contained contents consistent with a methamphetamine lab with possibility of combustion.The Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team arrived in Hometown at 9 p.m. They set up operations with portable lighting, folding tables and equipment to neutralize the situation.Lt. Joe Shamonsky Jr., noted that the danger zone was located just 100 yards from a girls' softball field and 300 yards from Rush Elementary School.In addition, the car was situated in close proximity to nearby businesses and the Cumberland Avenue residential neighborhood.After further investigation, Pakosky was taken into custody and charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and two counts of liquefied ammonia gas; precursors and chemicals. Pakosky is awaiting arraignment.The investigation is continuing.